Vehicle-top



No. e2s,|as. Patented Apr. l8, I899.

n. SHWELL.

VEHICLE TOP.

(Application filed Nov, 5, 1898.]

(No Model.) 3 Shqetzr-Sheai I.

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No. 623,|86-."' Patented Apr, IB, I899 v D. SHIVELL.

VEHICLE TOP.

(Application filed Nov. 5, 1898.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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Patented Apr. I8, I899.

D. SHIVELL.

VEHICLE TOP.

(Application filed Nov. 5, 1898.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

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NI'IFD STATES PATENT Orrrcn.

DAVID SHIVELL, OF ARLINGTON, INDIANA.

VEHICLE-T0 P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 623,186, dated April 18, 1899.

Application filed November 5, 1898- Serial No. 695,617. (No model.)

0 (tZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, DAVID SHIvELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Arlington, in the county of Bush and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vehicle-Tops, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention consists in certain imsaid top removed; Fig. 3, a central sectional view of the same in the position shown in Fig. 1 as seen from the dotted line 3 3 in Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a vertical sectional view as seen from the dotted line 4 4 in Fig. 1, except that the bow-like support which sustains the middle of the top lining is lowered, as when the parts are in positionto move the side curtains; Fig. 5, a similar view to the upperportion of Fig. 4, exceptthat said support to the top lining is raised and in position; Fig. 6, a fragmentary view, on a somewhat enlarged scale, similar to a portion of Fig. 5; Fig. 7, a detail view, on the same scale as Fig. 6, as seen from the dotted line 7 7 in Fig. 1; Fig. 8, a top or plan view of the front bow as shown in Fig. 7 with the top covering removed; Fig. 9, an inside view of one of the side curtains; Fig. 10, an inside view of the other side curtain; and Fig. 11 an edge view of the upper portion of one of the side curtains, showing one of the stiffening-plates and supports therefor.

The structure illustrated in said drawings is, generally speaking, substantially the ordinary form of top for that variety. of vehicle generally denominated a louggy and may, except as to such parts as are otherwise specified, be understood to be of a usual and Wellknown construction. 4 The invention is of course applicable to the tops of other classes of vehicles, and it is my intention to employ respective lengths, except at the immediate point of attachment, as best shown in Fig. 8, so that the runners or connections on the curtains may easily pass along the same, as will be presently described.

In order that the curtains may have the necessary stiffness to move properly into and out of their closed position within the upper portion of the vehicle-top, I provide them with a series of thin metal plates 15. In the arrangement shown the curtain 8 has three of these plates and the curtain 9 two of them. In order that they shall not interfere with the folding back of the vehicle-top when that is desired, each series is secured together at the bottom by a pivot 16, so that they are enabled to move toward and from each other. Formed upon or attached to each of these plates at the upper end is an eye 17, which is mounted upon the. corresponding rod carried by the bows, the eyes on those plates on the curtains 8 resting upon the rods 11, 12, and 14, while the eyes of the plates on the curtain 9 are upon the rods 10 and 13, as will be readily understood upon an inspection of the drawings. By the arrangement shown, with the rods arranged in pairs one above the other and the attachment as described, I am enabled to utilize the entire width of the top of the structure in housing the side curtains when raised in-.

place the same inside the vehicle-top directly below the upper portion of said middle bow. At each end of this support I provide a catch 19, which is adapted to engage with a corresponding notch in said bow 2 when said support is raised to its highest position. Said catches are adapted to be readily detached, however, and the support lowered, and the lining of the top consequently permitted to drop away from the bow, leaving a clear space between them in which the sideand curtains may break freely. 4, while the normal position is shown in Fig. 5.

Having thus fully described my said inventiou, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, in a vehicle-top, of the bows, a suitable covering thereon, a lining under said bows attached at the ends to the end bows and adapted to be moved against 1 or away from the middle bow, tracks or guideways secured to the said bows and extending entirely across the vehicle-top, said tracks or guldeways upon the end bows being in pairs 1 and arranged one above the other, and side curtains mounted upon said tracks orguideways and adapted to be moved when not in use into the space in the upper portion of the vehicle-top above the lining one over the 5 other, and means for supporting the lining This is illustrated in Fig.

and curtains against the under side of the middle how when the parts are in place and at rest.

2. The combination, in a vehicle-top, of tracks or guideways for the side curtains arranged one above the other, the curtains mounted and adapted to be moved upon said tracks, said curtains being provided with stiffening-strips pivoted at their lower ends to fold together, and the means for supporting said parts in their positions, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, in a vehicle-top, of the bows, the covering, a lining under said bows formed free from the middle bow, and a transverse support conforming in shape to the upper portion of the middle bow and arranged below said lining, said support being adjustable whereby said lining may be forced up close to said middle bow or permitted to descend away from the same thereby leaving a free space for the manipulation of the side curtains, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, at Arlington, Indiana, this 31st day of October, A. D. 1898.

DAVID SHIVELL. [L. s]

Vitnesses:

ROBERT HUTCHINSON, ELMER HUToHINsoN. 

